The Union Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions has issued breach of privilege notices to Sambalpur district Collector Ananya Das and Superintendent of Police B Gangadhar for their alleged role in breaching privileges of Union Minister BishweswarTudu and three other Lok Sabha members Basanta Kumar Panda, Suresh Pujari and JualOram.
The notices were issued in connection with the recent alleged unlawful detention of the lawmakers along with the BJP State unit president Manmohan Samal by the Sambalpur district administration at the Thelkoli police station. The MPs were detained when they were on their way to meet the victims of group clashes that erupted during the Hanuman Jayanti celebrations in Sambalpur city.
Following their detention, Suresh Pujari, JualOram and Basanta Panda alleged a breach of privilege by the Sambalpur SP and Collector before the Lok Sabha Speaker and demanded action against them.
Taking the matter seriously, the concerned Ministry has served breach of privilege notices to the officials and sought a report from them within 15 days.
“The Collector does not have any right to stop the lawmakers when they are lawfully going to meet people without causing any inconveniences to any community or affecting law and order. We were going to meet the people when the curfew was relaxed. However, police detained us saying the curfew is not relaxed for people’s representatives. The order of the Collector is illegal and it was a clear attempt of infringement of our privileges,” Suresh Pujari said.